O, pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth,That I am meek and gentle with these butchers!Thou art the ruins of the noblest manThat ever lived in the tide of times.Woe to the hand that shed this costly blood!

Stern Daughter of the Voice of God!O Duty! if that name thou loveWho are a light to guide, a rodTo check the erring, and reprove;Thou, who art victory and lawWhen empty terrors overawe;From vain temptations dost set free;And calm’st the weary strife of frail humanity!

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April 26, 1564 Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England April 23, 1616 Stratford-upon-Avon English poet, dramatist, and actor, often called the English national poet and considered by many to be the greatest dramatist of all time.